Each year, Agape honors peacemakers in celebration of the U.N.-declared International Day of Peace.

From opposing the Vietnam War to supporting nonviolent solutions in urban schools, The Agape Foundation has been at the forefront of social change for four decades. Agape’s financial and technical support has helped over 800 peace and social justice groups take root and thrive. Agape’s early support was crucial to hundreds of transformative organizations, including Amnesty International and the United Farm Workers, and today, Agape continues to foster critical new organizations.

Famoksaiyan was a finalist for The Agape Foundation’s “Rising Peacemaker” Award, along with two other Bay Area organizations: Pie Ranch & FORGE.

This prize honors an innovative peacemaker who has undertaken the creation of peace in their community, nationally or internationally, and has been making a significant contribution for five years or less.

In addition, a group called Youth Together, comprised of high school students from Richmond, Oakland, and Berkeley, received a “Champions of Change” award, and Jackie Cabasso received an enduring achievement award for her work in anti-nuclear proliferation.

It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many amazing activists involved in a diverse range of political, social, cultural, and environmental action.

Also, there was much poetry at the event! One presenter quoted Marge Piercy (“I want to be of use”) and a 93 year-old activist quoted T.S. Eliot:

This is the way the world ends

This is the way the world ends

This is the way the world ends

Not with a bang but a petition

There was also a performance by a spoken word poet from Youth Speaks!

And Guess What? FAMOKSAIYAN WON THE PRIZE!!! It was very exciting–we received a check, an award, and the opportunity to work with a media consultant group to help get our message out there! It was quite an exciting night!